Advent Family Worship- Day 3

Begin by singing a favorite Christmas song Read Zechariah’s song upon the birth of his son John (Luke 1:67-80).

[67] And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, [68] “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people [69] and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, [70] as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, [71] that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; [72] to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, [73] the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us [74] that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, [75] in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. [76] And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, [77] to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, [78] because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high [79] to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” [80] And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

(Luke 1:67-80 ESV)

• Q. Do you like to sing? What is one of your favorite songs? Why?
• Q. What are some of the themes that Zechariah sings about? What words stand out? (What do you learn about what God is like in Zechariah’s song? What do you learn about what Jesus is coming to do in his song?)
• Q. How is Zechariah different in this scene than when he was visited by the angel? What’s the difference?
• Q. Focus on the sentence: “that we might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days” (Luke 1:74-75). What do you think that means?

Light the first Advent Candle and ask, “What is our Advent theme this week?” … Have another discussion about faith and fear.

Pray using the A.C.T.S. model.

• Adore God for his love and his power.
• Confess how you, like Zechariah, can be full of unbelief and fear.
• Give thanks for Jesus. He has come to save us.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you “serve (God) without fear, in holiness and righteousness.” 

Finish by singing/listening to “Born Is the King” by Hillsong Worship